What to do with solar eclipse glasses

Imagine this: this Monday afternoon, after a long drive to full traffic or a well-timed lunch break in the middle of a busy shift, you see the moon take the place of the sun in the sky.

It was an indescribable spectacle of cosmic wonder and majesty that lasted only a few precious minutes and was often only viewed safely thanks to wafer-thin sunglasses.

But now, it's over. So what do you do with shadows?

As countless solar watchers wait a long time until the next solar eclipse, many may be asking themselves the same question. Eclipse glasses are usually mass-produced from cardboard frames and polymer filters, so some may be tempted to throw them away, but a number of organizations hope you think twice before doing so.

Here are a few options to consider:

For a sunny day

Whether you're planning a trip to Chile for the annular eclipse this fall, or to Greenland or Morocco for the total eclipses in 2026 and 2027, it's important to prepare ahead of time.

According to NASA, a typical pair of eclipse glasses (according to ISO 12312-2 safety standards) can be reused indefinitely if kept in good condition, meaning last Monday may not be your last chance to get your money's worth.

“I will definitely continue to mine for Morocco,” CTV News science and technology expert Dan Riskin told CTV News on Tuesday. “They're great souvenirs.”

Once-in-a-lifetime, undamaged eclipse glasses work well in sunlight, which can be a spectacle of its own.

“They protect you,” Riskin said. “The sun is … something we never look at because it hurts … They're good for eclipses, but these glasses still have a benefit.”

The Sun is expected to reach its peak activity for its current roughly 11-year solar cycle by 2025, meaning visible phenomena like sunspots will become more frequent.

If the eclipse has left you with a newfound interest in astronomy, don't wait to learn more.

Charity drives

For minimalists, photos and memories may be keepsakes, but that doesn't mean your eclipse glasses are headed straight to the landfill. The next time there is no shortage of excited people, with their eyes they want to protect.

Astronomers Without Borders (AWB), an educational nonprofit in Calabasas, California, has spent more than a decade collecting and recycling eclipse glasses from around the world for future celestial events.

This year's eclipse marks the return of the group's recycling and distribution drive, collecting used glasses from hundreds of local governments, libraries and retail stores across North America.

On the path to the eclipse in Canada, Ont. The city of Cornwall has opened a collection point at the local fire station, along with the Montreal Planetarium and the Jack Miner Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Kingsville. Eyewear retailer Warby Parker, with four stores across the GTA, will be accepting donations for the rest of April to go AWB.

Ottawa City Council. David Hill also nominated his county office as a collection point for Eclipse Glasses USA, a manufacturer that recycles pairs.

Riskin said Monday's eclipse was special because it was a personal, non-digital phenomenon, but also because of its power to bring people together.

“It was a shared story,” he said. “There were people clapping and clapping all along the beach, and this is where the goosebumps are.”